The “My idea” campaign kicks off with a 30-second commercial that focuses on the “Collaboration,” as the introductory ad is called, between the company and its consumers. In similar style to the “I’m a PC” salvo, the commercial presents a quick-cut montage of people from around the world sharing what they want from their computers as Microsoft engineers responded with the line, “I’m listening.” The users take ownership of the new system, claiming the OS as “my idea.” The spot ends with two engineers bowing in gratitude and the line “A billion ideas=7.”

In addition to commercials running on TV and online, the effort includes outdoor and digital banners as well as 7-second Web videos that demonstrate the product’s ease of use.

Microsoft will also invite consumers to submit their own 7-second product demos through crowd-sourcing sites such as AdHack and TurnHere. Selected clips will post online next month.

FreshBooks this week released a new resource to help self-employed professionals optimize their hourly rates. The Toronto-based accounting software company notes that roughly one-third of the workforce in the...